WEINBERGER, JAROMIR

WEINBERGER, JAROMIR (1896–1967), composer. Born in Prague, Weinberger studied at the Prague Conservatory and with Max Reger in Leipzig. In 1922 he visited the U.S., and on his return to Europe he taught in various cities, but his center was in Prague. In 1937 he emigrated to the U.S., settling in St. Petersburg, Fla. Although best known for his operas, Weinberger also wrote orchestral, choral, and instrumental works. His early compositions were in the style of the French impressionists, but later works were inspired by Czech folk music and the school of Dvorak and Smetana. His picturesque folk-opera Švanda dudák ("Schwanda the Bagpiper," 1927), written in the tradition of Smetana, won Weinberger immediate popularity, and was translated into 17 languages and performed throughout Europe and the U.S. The opera's "Polka and Fugue" is a concert staple. Other operas are Lidé z Pokerflatu ("The Outcasts of Poker Flat," after Bret Harte, 1932) and Wallenstein (1937), a lyric tragedy after Schiller. After leaving Europe, Weinberger became deeply influenced by American culture and completely changed his style. Among his later works are Variations and Fugue on Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree (1939), Lincoln Symphony (1941), Ecclesiastes, for soprano, baritone, mixed chorus, and organ (1945), Prelude and Fugue on Dixie, and Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Some of his music on Jewish subjects is still unpublished. -BIBLIOGRAPHY: MGG, incl. bibl.; Baker, Biog Dict; Riemann-Gurlitt, incl. bibl.; Grove, Dict; New York Times (Aug. 11, 1967), 21.